School funding 2018/19 - local funding formula and transfer between funding blocks of the Dedicated Schools Grant

Purpose:

There are two elements
to this decision:

1.Schools Block funding formula 2018/19

The council is
responsible for deciding on a local schools funding formula for
2018/19, in order to distribute the Schools Block funding of the
Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) to all maintained schools and
academies.

The total Schools
Block funding allocated to Leeds for 2018/19 is approximately
£499m. The funding formula will allocate this to all
maintained schools and academies in Leeds for their pre-16
pupils.

2.Transfer between funding blocks of the Dedicated
Schools Grant

A decision is also
required on the transfer of approximately £500k in 2018/19
from the Central Schools Services Block to the High Needs Block of
the Dedicated Schools Grant.

The Central Schools Services Block funds local
authorities for the statutory duties they hold for both maintained
schools and academies. There is likely to be an
underspend against the central schools services block which
will allow us to transfer funding to the High Needs block to
address pressures in this area.

Decision:

The Director of Children and Families approved
the proposed funding formula for 2018/19 which moves as close as
possible to the National Funding Formula, and the transfer of
£500k from the Central Schools Services Block to the High
Needs Block of the 2018/19 Dedicated Schools Grant.

Reason Key: Expenditure > £250,000;

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Other reasons / organisations consulted

The consultation has been carried out in line
with the requirements of the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
Detailed information about the local funding formula options and
the transfer between the DSG funding blocks were provided to all
schools and briefing sessions were also held. Schools were asked to
vote on the proposals and Leeds Schools Forum has subsequently also
been consulted and has voted on the proposals.